Azur Lodge

If you stay at the right time of year, July-September you may wake up to snow falling on the balcony, which for someone coming from a city with no snow at all is a real treat. Also, if you can, specify one of the upper villas, as they are much easier to walk to and from, from the main lodge.

Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by mountains which in Winter are covered in snow. It is bustling with tourists all year round due to the world-class ski fields, stunning scenery, walking trails, adventure sports, food, wine and everything else.

 
We were picked up from the airport by warm and friendly staff who were very easy to converse with. 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre we arrived at Azur Lodge, nestled on a hill in a quiet residential neighbourhood. As soon as you head through the entrance gates the atmosphere is one of utter peace and seclusion: the nearest house feels miles away. Nine Azur Lodge villas are dotted over a steep hillside, awarding complete privacy to each villa, and some of the most amazing views in the world.

The architecture of the villas has a warm alpine cabin feel, with high ceilings and timber panelling. The layout is simple with a lovely flow from the living room to the bed, to the bathroom. The villas are generous, self-contained suites, designed to maximize comfort and views over the lake to the mountains beyond, with everything you need to have a relaxing escape. The spa bath is a special treat, next to a window that opens out to the incredible views.

The staff are very friendly and offer excellent service for whatever you need. They are experienced in the Queenstown area and helped us to plan our activities for each day. Azur also offers a free shuttle service to and from the town centre during the day to make getting around very hassle-free. We left Azur, already planning our trip back.